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The Bandits didn't win their first game of the season in 2009 until June 9th - starting the season on a franchise worst 11-game losing streak. Luckily the Saint Croix River Bandits (0-0, 1-2) won't have to worry about such a circumstance this season as they won their first game of the season against the Minneapolis Cubs on Mother's Day Sunday.
The Bandits started P Will Ball on the mound who had success in his rookie season last year posting a 3.12 ERA in 17 1/3 innings pitched. Ball got through the first inning unscathed - with the help of an 8-9-4-3 double play.
The Bandits struck first in the bottom of the first inning. CF Scott Lindholm reached on a base on balls. Trevor Todd grounded into a fielder's choice, switching him with Lindholm and an out. Todd was able to reach 2nd base on a passed ball during DH Brian Jacobson's at bat. Jacobson would strike out, getting C Steve Siqueiros to the plate with 2 outs. Siqueiros was only 2-9 to start the season, but was able to smack a single to the outfield, scoring Todd from 2nd base. RF Michael VanderPlas would walk to get runners on 2nd and 1st with 2 outs. SS Kyle Kahl grounded out to 2nd base and the Bandits led 1-0 after one inning.
The 2nd inning turned into a pitching nightmare for rising star Will Ball. Ball walked the first batter and then allowed two consecutive hits, scoring Rossum who had walked. Ball then walked the next four batters, all on full counts. Trevor Todd came on in relief and was able to close out the inning, but the damage had already be done, leaving the Bandits trailing 3-1.
The Bandits got a run back in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Siquieros reached base with a 1-out single. Michael VanderPlas popped out to 2nd base for the 2nd out of the inning. The Cubs followed that up with consecutive errors on Kyle Kahl and Curtis Roebuck's at bat, allowing Siqueiros to score - cutting the lead to 3-2.
Trevor Todd threw another gem, this time in relief. Todd pitched 7 and 2/3 innings, allowing only 2 hits and 4 walks while striking out 9 batters.
With the Bandits trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Bandits were poised to lose their third game in a row by the margin of 1 run. Trevor Todd led the inning off with a single and promtly stole 2nd base. Jacobson hit a deep "single" to the right center field gap, scoring Todd from 2nd base. Will Ball pinch ran for Jacobson and was advanced to 2nd on a Siqueiros ground out. Michael VanderPlas hit a sharp single to center field, and Ball attempted to score the winning run from 2nd base - running through at least one stop sign. Ball was gunned down at home for the 2nd out, VanderPlas was able to gain 2nd base on the throw home. Kyle Kahl followed with a single, however, VanderPlas was caught leading too far off of third base, and was run down for the third out of the inning.
Jim Rochford entered the top of the 10th inning in relief of Trevor "Chuck" Todd. Rochford struggled in his last outing and was hoping to shut down the Cubs for as long as could - as the pitching options for the Bandits were not optimal. Rochford was able to get three quick outs, and put the Cubs back on defense for the 10th inning.
2B Curtis Roebuck led the inning off with a 4-walk. Next up was.....relief pitcher Jim Rochford? When Rochford entered in the top of the 10th he came in for first baseman Jesse Hartel, who was struggling at the plate, sending Trevor Todd over to first base. Rochford went up with the mind set to bunt. Rochford saw three straight balls, and pulled his bunt back each time. The fourth pitch to Rochford came in high and tight. Rochford pulled back but the pitch hit him straight on the forearm. Next up was Bandit first-timer Kevin VanBrackhorst - a disciple of the Mike Leaky School of Baseball. Van Brackhorst hit a sharp grounder, that the young Cubs shortstop ranged to his left for and snagged. The shortstop then threw over to first to get Van Brackhorst but his throw was errant, allowing Roebuck to score, and giving the Bandits the 4-3 victory in 10 innings.
In his post game interview Jim Rochford had this to say. "That was a good game, we needed that one. It took so long for us to win our first game last year. Trevor Todd had another amazing outing. Our bats were quite for awhile, but 9 hits isn't something I'll complain about. Thanks to Vandy and Will's baserunning skills I was able to come in and steal the win from Trevor.
***NOTES***
Boxscore Here
Game Balls
1. Trevor Todd - 7.2 IP, 0ER, 2H, 4BB, 9K & 1-4, 2R, SB
2. Steve Siqueiros - 2-5, R, RBI
3. Brian Jacobson - 1-5, game tying RBI in 9th.
Unheralded Hero(es) of the Day: Jesse Hartel, Mike Leahy, & Kevin VanBrackhorst for coming out and helping some shorthanded Bandits.
WOW Play of the Day: CF Scott Lindholm's last second decision to dive for a fly ball in the top of the first inning, pinning his throwing arm underneath his body as he made the catch and RF Michael VanderPlas promptly grabbing the ball from Lindholm's glove and throwing back into the inflield, where 2B Curtis Roebuck threw the ball over to first base to double up the baserunner.
Things heard on and off the Diamond....
"You have to get a better stare down after you get hit by a pitch"
"Seriously.....Jesse could hear your ass from 1st base."
in reponse: "That's all Leinie's baby"
Players Missing in Action
Michael Chelberg - car broken down
Adam Lewis - $ broken down
Jeff "Plow" Johnson - body broken down
HS Posse - opponent's broken down
Tim Wampfler - tha's right Tim...I added you!
Next game is at Bay City, May 15th.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Game Recap - Bandits drop second straight game by 1 run.
The St. Croix River Bandits (0-0, 0-2) were toppled again by rival Minnesota powerhouse: The Isanti Redbirds. The Bandits are 1-4 in their four year history against the Redbirds, although this game was much closer than most.
The Redbirds pitched a bevy of arms on Sunday, starting with ace Wade Reichmann. Reichmann was 8-2 for the Redbirds in 2009 with a miniscule ERA of 0.72 and 101 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings pitched. Reichman plowed through the Bandits lineup - striking out 4 in three innings pitched, and not allowing a single baserunner.
The Bandits finally got a hit in the 5th inning off of pitcher Charlie Zak. 2B Michael VanderPlas knocked a 1-out 1-1 fastball up the middle for a single. SS Kyle Kahl then walked. After a RF Will Ball strikeout, LF Tim Wampfler hit an infield single, allowing all runners to advance a base. VanderPlas was able to score on a wild pitch, giving the Bandits a 1-0 lead after 5 innings.
Bandits pitcher Trevor Todd started on the mound against the potent Redbirds lineup that features 2009 St. Paul Saint and 2009 MIAC Player of the Year Kyle Johnson. Todd had scattered 4 hits through five innings pitched against the Redbirds, striking out 4, and picking off 2 baserunners. Todd finally ran into trouble in the top of the 6th inning, after the Bandits took a 1-0 lead. Redbird superstar Packy Lind led the inning off with a single, and was sac bunted over to second base. Todd induced Kyle Johnson to ground out to 2nd base - allowing Lind to move over to third with two outs. The Redbirds were able to get a run back in the exact manner the Bandits had scored, on a passed ball/wild pitch - scoring Lind from third base. Redbird 3B Tyler Schaff hit a 2-out single to give the Redbirds another threat in the 6th inning. After a Trevor Todd balk to advance Schaff to 2nd base - relief pitcher Adam West found contact on a 1-2 count, and was able to drop the ball down the left field line for a double, scoring Schaff and giving the Redbirds a 2-1 lead.
The Bandits tried to rally back in the bottom of the 6th. Red-hot 3B Michael Chelberg hit his third single in two games, to lead off the inning. Trevor Todd fielded into a possible double play, but Chelberg was able to break it up at 2nd base. DH Brian Jacobson grounded into a out, but advanced Todd to 2nd base. Todd was then able to advance to 3rd base on a wild pitch - however was stranded their by and inning ending strike out.
The Bandits were stiffled after the 6th - getting only one more baserunner in the last three innings. Trevor Todd pitched seven total innings, giving up only 2 runs, and scattering 8 hits. Will Ball came on in relief and pitched 2 scoreless innings.
The Bandits drop to 0-2 on the year - with a run differential of only -2 runs over the 2 games. P/Coach Jim Rochford had this to say after the game. "This was a really well played, hard fought game by both teams. Much better than yesterday. As much as losing teams hate the term "moral" victories, this defintely was one. This team was 26-7 last season and their core roster was here today. We played them very well, didn't have a fielding error for the 2nd straight game, and Trevor went out and pitched tremendously. Once we get our bats going a little bit, we will be in great shape for our conference schedule."
***NOTES***
Boxscores Found Here
Game Balls
1) Trevor Todd - 7IP, 8H, 2ER, 6K
2) Michael VanderPlas - 1-3, R
3) Team Defense - 0 errors for 2nd straight game.
Unheralded Hero(es) of the Game: To Scott Lindholm - whom the day after getting plunked in the face with a baseball was out playing CF for the Bandits with one good eye. And to Redbird BJ Samuelson, a known Bandits killer, for having too good of a good time the night prior to the game.
WOW play of the Day: Tim Wampfler's slip and slide butt dive catch in right field to steal a single away from CF Eric Rysdam, or Trevor Todd's uncanny ability to catch baseunners on first base.
Things heard on and off the Diamond:
"I'm glad Will is here to say the things that I am thinking but haven't said yet, then I can look at him like he is the weird one."
"Just put the back-up catcher's mask on and shag some flyballs - you'll be fine"
"That swing was terrible, I wonder if he even knows he's playing a baseball game right now, just terrible..."
Players Missing in Action:
Curtis Roebuck - at daughter's first birthday party.....reasonable excuse
HS Posse - ineligible until June X, 2010....reasonable excuse
Adam Lewis - starting new job as assistant railroad spike quality control director....fair excuse
Plow - sleeping....poor excuse Plow...poor!
Next Game is Sunday May 9th vs. the Minneapolis Cubs.
The Redbirds pitched a bevy of arms on Sunday, starting with ace Wade Reichmann. Reichmann was 8-2 for the Redbirds in 2009 with a miniscule ERA of 0.72 and 101 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings pitched. Reichman plowed through the Bandits lineup - striking out 4 in three innings pitched, and not allowing a single baserunner.
The Bandits finally got a hit in the 5th inning off of pitcher Charlie Zak. 2B Michael VanderPlas knocked a 1-out 1-1 fastball up the middle for a single. SS Kyle Kahl then walked. After a RF Will Ball strikeout, LF Tim Wampfler hit an infield single, allowing all runners to advance a base. VanderPlas was able to score on a wild pitch, giving the Bandits a 1-0 lead after 5 innings.
Bandits pitcher Trevor Todd started on the mound against the potent Redbirds lineup that features 2009 St. Paul Saint and 2009 MIAC Player of the Year Kyle Johnson. Todd had scattered 4 hits through five innings pitched against the Redbirds, striking out 4, and picking off 2 baserunners. Todd finally ran into trouble in the top of the 6th inning, after the Bandits took a 1-0 lead. Redbird superstar Packy Lind led the inning off with a single, and was sac bunted over to second base. Todd induced Kyle Johnson to ground out to 2nd base - allowing Lind to move over to third with two outs. The Redbirds were able to get a run back in the exact manner the Bandits had scored, on a passed ball/wild pitch - scoring Lind from third base. Redbird 3B Tyler Schaff hit a 2-out single to give the Redbirds another threat in the 6th inning. After a Trevor Todd balk to advance Schaff to 2nd base - relief pitcher Adam West found contact on a 1-2 count, and was able to drop the ball down the left field line for a double, scoring Schaff and giving the Redbirds a 2-1 lead.
The Bandits tried to rally back in the bottom of the 6th. Red-hot 3B Michael Chelberg hit his third single in two games, to lead off the inning. Trevor Todd fielded into a possible double play, but Chelberg was able to break it up at 2nd base. DH Brian Jacobson grounded into a out, but advanced Todd to 2nd base. Todd was then able to advance to 3rd base on a wild pitch - however was stranded their by and inning ending strike out.
The Bandits were stiffled after the 6th - getting only one more baserunner in the last three innings. Trevor Todd pitched seven total innings, giving up only 2 runs, and scattering 8 hits. Will Ball came on in relief and pitched 2 scoreless innings.
The Bandits drop to 0-2 on the year - with a run differential of only -2 runs over the 2 games. P/Coach Jim Rochford had this to say after the game. "This was a really well played, hard fought game by both teams. Much better than yesterday. As much as losing teams hate the term "moral" victories, this defintely was one. This team was 26-7 last season and their core roster was here today. We played them very well, didn't have a fielding error for the 2nd straight game, and Trevor went out and pitched tremendously. Once we get our bats going a little bit, we will be in great shape for our conference schedule."
***NOTES***
Boxscores Found Here
Game Balls
1) Trevor Todd - 7IP, 8H, 2ER, 6K
2) Michael VanderPlas - 1-3, R
3) Team Defense - 0 errors for 2nd straight game.
Unheralded Hero(es) of the Game: To Scott Lindholm - whom the day after getting plunked in the face with a baseball was out playing CF for the Bandits with one good eye. And to Redbird BJ Samuelson, a known Bandits killer, for having too good of a good time the night prior to the game.
WOW play of the Day: Tim Wampfler's slip and slide butt dive catch in right field to steal a single away from CF Eric Rysdam, or Trevor Todd's uncanny ability to catch baseunners on first base.
Things heard on and off the Diamond:
"I'm glad Will is here to say the things that I am thinking but haven't said yet, then I can look at him like he is the weird one."
"Just put the back-up catcher's mask on and shag some flyballs - you'll be fine"
"That swing was terrible, I wonder if he even knows he's playing a baseball game right now, just terrible..."
Players Missing in Action:
Curtis Roebuck - at daughter's first birthday party.....reasonable excuse
HS Posse - ineligible until June X, 2010....reasonable excuse
Adam Lewis - starting new job as assistant railroad spike quality control director....fair excuse
Plow - sleeping....poor excuse Plow...poor!
Next Game is Sunday May 9th vs. the Minneapolis Cubs.
Game Recap - Bandits lose heartbreaker to Islanders, 9-8 - walk-off style
The St. Croix River Bandits (0-0, 0-1) traveled to Cumberland on Saturday and had an early lead over the Islanders but couldn't hold on. Jim Rochford started on the mound for the Bandits and was given a quick 4-0 lead after the first inning. The Bandits led off the season with 3 consecutive walks to load the bases. Catcher Brian Jacobson came through with a 1-out single to left-center field, scoring both CF Scott Lindholm and 3B Michael Chelberg. 1B Trevor Todd scored on an error, and 2B Curtis Roebuck slapped a ball to right field for a single, that scored Brian Jacobson/CR Tim Wampfler.
Rochford was adequate for the first 5 innings of the game, allowing 5 hits, 4 walks, 2 runs (both earned) and striking out 5. The Bandits had tacked on a single run each inning, from inning 2 thru 4 and were leading 7-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth. Rochford fatigued, and struggled to get the ball in the strike zone. Rochford issued 6 walks, 3 hits, and a hit batsmen over the 6th and 7th inning - giving up 4 runs. Rochford was finally pulled after the seventh inning in favor of Curtis Roebuck - going into the bottom of the 8th with an 8-6 lead.
Backtracking a little... the Bandits, after scoring 7 runs in the first 4 innings, were all but stymied for the final five innings of the game. In the top of the 7th inning, clubhouse leader Scott Lindholm was looking for a breaking ball to drive. Unfortunately the pitch never broke, and Lindholm never ducked....The ball caught Lindholm near square in the eye/nose and would later be determined to be a microfracture of the high up bridge of the nose. Lindholm was forced to leave the game - which would have been much more convenient if the Bandits weren't sporting only 1 bench player and a catcher/DH combo that both only work from behind the plate. Lindholm would be listed as day to day.
Roebuck got into a jam in the bottom of the eighth inning with runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Due to the aforementioned injury - catcher Brian Jacobson was relegated to 3B duty because of a myriad of defensive shifts. The cat-like Jacobson was able to haul down a 1-out line drive and hurl the ball back over to 2nd base to double up the shocked baserunner to end the eighth inning.
Roebuck was not so lucky in the bottom of the ninth. Cumberland led off the inning with a single and a walk. Former bandit John Peterson then sac bunted the runners over. Roebuck then hit a batter in a 2-2 count to load the bases. Roebuck struggled to find the strike zone, like most other pitchers that afternoon, walking the next 2 batters - each on full counts. The Islanders then hit a walk off single to end the game. Final score, 9-8 Islanders, 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth and 7 runs in the last 4 innings to cap of the game.
"This was a tough loss for us," noted pitcher Jim Rochford. "We had a big lead early, and Robes and I couldn't nail it down. It happens and we just have to move on to the next game."
***NOTES***
Boxscores Here
Game Balls
1. Brian Jacobson - for breaking out that baseball body for another season, catching, playing 3B, and going 3-5 with 3 RBI.
2. Michael Chelberg - starting off the year 2-2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.
3. Team DEFENSE - no errors today boys, way to start the season on the field.
Unheralded Hero of the Day: Tim Wampfler - without you coming to be the 11th man we would have been in a serious bind when Lindholm crumpled.
(honorable mention: Bandits Mobile - you still keep chugging along!)
WOW play of the day: I would have said Brian Jacobson hitting the ball 200 mph....straight at the shortstop for an inning ending double play...but anytime you hear a guy tell you that he thinks he swallowed some of his own nose-bone fragments while sitting at the doctor's office - thats gotta win...
Things heard on and off the Diamond....
"Are we the home team?"
"That F#$%^@g doctor is a homo.."
"Atleast let me swallow..."
and an in depth conversation about another man's unfortunate reproductive part's nightmare...
PMIA (players missing in action)
Adam Lewis - got a new job at railroad company
Jeff "Plow" Johnson - fish/sleep/avoid/cry/ing
The High School Posse - ineligible - season hasnt ended yet
Michael VanderPlas - rallying....really....
Next game is Sunday versus Isanti at SCF
Rochford was adequate for the first 5 innings of the game, allowing 5 hits, 4 walks, 2 runs (both earned) and striking out 5. The Bandits had tacked on a single run each inning, from inning 2 thru 4 and were leading 7-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth. Rochford fatigued, and struggled to get the ball in the strike zone. Rochford issued 6 walks, 3 hits, and a hit batsmen over the 6th and 7th inning - giving up 4 runs. Rochford was finally pulled after the seventh inning in favor of Curtis Roebuck - going into the bottom of the 8th with an 8-6 lead.
Backtracking a little... the Bandits, after scoring 7 runs in the first 4 innings, were all but stymied for the final five innings of the game. In the top of the 7th inning, clubhouse leader Scott Lindholm was looking for a breaking ball to drive. Unfortunately the pitch never broke, and Lindholm never ducked....The ball caught Lindholm near square in the eye/nose and would later be determined to be a microfracture of the high up bridge of the nose. Lindholm was forced to leave the game - which would have been much more convenient if the Bandits weren't sporting only 1 bench player and a catcher/DH combo that both only work from behind the plate. Lindholm would be listed as day to day.
Roebuck got into a jam in the bottom of the eighth inning with runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Due to the aforementioned injury - catcher Brian Jacobson was relegated to 3B duty because of a myriad of defensive shifts. The cat-like Jacobson was able to haul down a 1-out line drive and hurl the ball back over to 2nd base to double up the shocked baserunner to end the eighth inning.
Roebuck was not so lucky in the bottom of the ninth. Cumberland led off the inning with a single and a walk. Former bandit John Peterson then sac bunted the runners over. Roebuck then hit a batter in a 2-2 count to load the bases. Roebuck struggled to find the strike zone, like most other pitchers that afternoon, walking the next 2 batters - each on full counts. The Islanders then hit a walk off single to end the game. Final score, 9-8 Islanders, 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth and 7 runs in the last 4 innings to cap of the game.
"This was a tough loss for us," noted pitcher Jim Rochford. "We had a big lead early, and Robes and I couldn't nail it down. It happens and we just have to move on to the next game."
***NOTES***
Boxscores Here
Game Balls
1. Brian Jacobson - for breaking out that baseball body for another season, catching, playing 3B, and going 3-5 with 3 RBI.
2. Michael Chelberg - starting off the year 2-2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.
3. Team DEFENSE - no errors today boys, way to start the season on the field.
Unheralded Hero of the Day: Tim Wampfler - without you coming to be the 11th man we would have been in a serious bind when Lindholm crumpled.
(honorable mention: Bandits Mobile - you still keep chugging along!)
WOW play of the day: I would have said Brian Jacobson hitting the ball 200 mph....straight at the shortstop for an inning ending double play...but anytime you hear a guy tell you that he thinks he swallowed some of his own nose-bone fragments while sitting at the doctor's office - thats gotta win...
Things heard on and off the Diamond....
"Are we the home team?"
"That F#$%^@g doctor is a homo.."
"Atleast let me swallow..."
and an in depth conversation about another man's unfortunate reproductive part's nightmare...
PMIA (players missing in action)
Adam Lewis - got a new job at railroad company
Jeff "Plow" Johnson - fish/sleep/avoid/cry/ing
The High School Posse - ineligible - season hasnt ended yet
Michael VanderPlas - rallying....really....
Next game is Sunday versus Isanti at SCF
Friday, March 12, 2010
So Part 3 Never Came - So What?!?
Okay.. so the season preview is a little late...sue me!
The Bandits are kicking it into gear again for their 4th season. The Bandits are looking to continue their progress from their first two seasons in the St. Croix Valley Baseball League. The Bandits won 2 conference games their inaugural season, and improved to 4 conference wins last season.
Besides the Bandits 16 conference games, there are currently 8 non-conference games scheduled including 3 double-headers. The Bandits will continue to play Isanti and Blaine - two talented and well coached teams. The Bandits will renew their rivalry with the Chisago Lakes Bulldogs, who finished with a disappointing 7-10 conference record last season. The Bandits will play the St. Paul Mudhens (8-32 in 2009), the Minneapolis Cubs (9-11 in 2009), and the Cumberland Islanders for the first time this season.
The Bandits will return most of their roster from 2009. The Bandits have lost starting 2B/SS John Peterson - who moved to - and is now starting at 2B for the Cumberland Islanders, and utility man Preston Langer.. The core team returns with additions of HS seniors Cory Gebhard and Ben Anderson from SCF, and return of HS seniors Matt Vold and Gus Koecher, once their HS baseball season and hopeful state tournament appearance is over.
The Bandits are kicking it into gear again for their 4th season. The Bandits are looking to continue their progress from their first two seasons in the St. Croix Valley Baseball League. The Bandits won 2 conference games their inaugural season, and improved to 4 conference wins last season.
Besides the Bandits 16 conference games, there are currently 8 non-conference games scheduled including 3 double-headers. The Bandits will continue to play Isanti and Blaine - two talented and well coached teams. The Bandits will renew their rivalry with the Chisago Lakes Bulldogs, who finished with a disappointing 7-10 conference record last season. The Bandits will play the St. Paul Mudhens (8-32 in 2009), the Minneapolis Cubs (9-11 in 2009), and the Cumberland Islanders for the first time this season.
The Bandits will return most of their roster from 2009. The Bandits have lost starting 2B/SS John Peterson - who moved to - and is now starting at 2B for the Cumberland Islanders, and utility man Preston Langer.. The core team returns with additions of HS seniors Cory Gebhard and Ben Anderson from SCF, and return of HS seniors Matt Vold and Gus Koecher, once their HS baseball season and hopeful state tournament appearance is over.
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